Historical Traveler Reviews Hyatt Place Orlando Universal

Wonderful Hotel

from nevermind2007

I booked my stay at this hotel through Hotwire and found a FABULOUS deal on the day of my stay!!!!

The location is great - you could literally walk to Universal and its seconds from the Interstate. The whole hotel has just been remodled and has a Urban feel - everything is decorated with warm colors - lots of rich browns, greens, reds etc. The rooms were wonderful and had a feng shui atmosphere to them. I didn'lt like the location of the first room and they moved me without a problem. (The initial room was by the elevator.) The beds were extremely comfortable and the pillows were wonderful and down feather - my fav - and there were 6 of them altogether.

The down sides were the water pressure - it was horrible and would completely cut off at seconds at a time but, have a feeling that it wasn't a normal thing and also, the sink spout in the bathrrom was not far away enough from the counter - kind of annoying and got water every where. Also, a commom complaint on other reviews - the elevator was sooooo SLOW! The complimentary breakfast looked great ( I didn't have time to eat) fresh fruit, cereal, yogurts and danishes etc and Starbucks coffee and teas. All in all I was impressed and would stay there again.

Watch your belongings!!!

from modesire

When arriving at this hotel, my friend and I couldn't have been more thrilled with the look and feel of everything. But it all turned around when we left to go to Universal the next morning. We left around 9:15am and returned at 5:45pm. My friend went to her bag to put back her credit card and I.D. into her wallet and immediately noticed money was missing. We thought maybe she spent it not realizing it. But when I went to go check my wallet to be on the safe side, everything was gone. Funny thing about where my wallet was: It was in my purse, which was in my luggage, under clothes, with the lid to the suitcase down. That means they rifled through all our things! The moment we saw there was a theft in our room, we went to the front desk to talk to the management (who left us waiting there for 15minutes!). The manager was very cold and unsympathetic. She told us there was nothing she could do and that she would file an insurance claim. We told her we were going to file a police report (which we did) and still she didn't seem to care one bit. Before sending us on our way, she told us that the general manager would be contacting us and perhaps comping our stay. Needless to say, we never heard from the general manager and we left very unhappy. The policewoman who dusted my wallet for fingerprints told us that it wasn't the first time she had been to this particular hotel for the same reason. Don't stay at this hotel. And if you do, leave the "do not disturb" sign on the door at all times.

Hated the place,management especially!!

from hedotraveller

Took my wife and my 4 yr old daughter for her first disney vacation.Since I have been to orlando a couple of times and stayed in various places-always good, I thought I'd try the hyatt place...BIG MISTAKE!! We arrived from a 26 hr fliight from South africa, and everything had gone so smoothly.As soon as we arrive,not a single hello, not a single hi,not from the receptionist nor the manager- but we check-in anyway.As soon as we get to the room,to our shock, the receptionist gave us a room that was already occupied!!!!!That's definetely a first for me who travels a lot....lot.So I go downstairs and NOT EVEN A SORRY!!!

Finally when we get another room,get a good night's rest...next day to catch the shuttle to the parks.....NO SHUTTLE!!!!Nobody knows how to get the shuttle!!!!So I get a cab.Next day the same thing and nobody can explain me anything.Why does the hotel say it provides a service when it doesn't??So i talk to the manager....and NO SORRY!!!"Oh we'll refund your cab money!!".Apparently they changed 5 managers in 2 months!!When checking out,I was charged for the room that i was given by mistake on the first day,AND was charged higher rates than the ones I had booked for ON THEIR SITE.It's a terrible hotel, with terrible management, room is spacious no doubt but does not belong in Orlando where all people I met are friendly and I mean all.Absolute ruin for a vacation(which is why it's there at universal entrance).Stay at the doubletree next to it.Been there twice and for a few dollars more,at least you don't feel like people are doing you a favour.

Disappointing

from vkmk

After reading the reviews, I was looking forward to staying at this hotel. We arrived at 2:30pm, which was thirty minutes early so we had no problem waiting for a room until 3pm check-in time. At 3pm, we were told it could be an hour before a room would be ready for us. We waited another 45 minutes and then asked if a room was ready since there were several people also waiting for a room. At that time, they said there was about six more room to be cleaned before a room with a king size bed that I requested 2 months ago when I made the reservation would be cleaned. Therefore, we cancelled our reservation and we went down the way to another hotel, which got us into a room within 5 minutes.

Loved the Hyatt Place Universal Studios

from tyd

We stayed at this hotel for 3 nights after having stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort for 3 nights. Let me say that the rooms here were much better than the standard room at the RPR.

All rooms have been renovated and are very nice and spacious. Beds are very comfortable, pillows nice and fluffy. Huge sleeper sofa with comfortable mattress. Rooms have 42" flat screen HD tv (which the kids loved), free wireless internet access (which I loved), free continental breakfast daily, and an in room fridge.

Theme Part Attractions literally 5-15 minutes away depending on which ones you're interested in. There's a Fridays and Cracker Barrel within Walking distance. Universal Studios right across the street.

Front desk service very professional, friendly and helpful.

The only negative issue is the pool. Very small, the kids were disappointed, esp after having spent 3 days in RP pool.

I would definitely recommend this hotel to others.

Best beds ever!!!

from muffinhead95

We stayed at this hotel for one night for the purpose of visiting Sea World (10 min drive). It is undergoing major renovations while it is being converted from an AmeriSuites, but still had a fabulous stay. The room was huge, an L shaped sleeper sofa, a wet bar, table and chairs, work desk, a large flat screen TV, vanity with sink, and the most luxurios beds I have ever slept in for a non luxury hotel! I hated to get out of bed in the morning. Big fluffy pillows, and a bed you just sank into (in a good way!). The decor was warm tones, and added a cozy feel to the room. Despite the lobby area with tarps hanging and noise and workers all around, the front desk staff couldn't have been more pleasant. We were allowed to check in early, 10:30 am, and the front desk girl personally showed us the pool, and the breakfast area, and escorted us to the elevator. It was a nice touch. We were not disturbed at all with the construction, as we were out all day. I believe they are to have a cafe and/or a grab and go type store, but they obviously aren't completed yet. The breakfast in the morning was very good for a free breakfast-hot food (eggs, sausage), cereal, toast, bagels, pastries, juices, milk, fresh fruit-pretty much the basic essentials to hold you over until lunch. Also, a TGI Fridays and a Cracker Barrel are within walking distance. Oh, and there was also a small exercise room, with decent equipment, and a pool. The hotel is also right across the street from Universal Studios, and down the street from International Drive. I would definately stay here again!

Very nice rooms.................

from mikenjess1

We have just returned for a weekend in Orlando at the Hyatt Place - Amerisuites.

I give this place a 8 f or the overall stay, there is construction going on, if you stay here make sure to get a room on a higher floor so you can not hear the wok they are doing to the lobby.

The rooms are very nice......... the plush beds and the feather pillows and of course the 42 inch flat screen is a major plus!

The hotel is right across the street from Universal, there is many restaurants right in walking distance of the hotel.

The pool was nice, the only bad this is the parking situation right now while construction is going on, you can't use the lobby entrance so you have to park on the side or behind the hotel which makes it a little annoying because there is 4 entrances to the place so everyone hogs the best spots for the back entrance.

Overall a nice place to stay, we had no problems otherwise!

Wonderful Stay

from Leightnite

Let me say the bad first. Two words: SPRING BREAKERS. I think there was grad night going on, and with the behavior of these guys and gals, all i could do is think to myself, "was I THAT messed up in high school?" Other than that the front desk was more than wonderful. The new remodeling job is what you expect of something with the "HYATT" name a part of it. a 42" flat TV in your room is a great touch. The only thing I wish is that they would have went the step further and redid the bathrooms with the walk up showers. I have stayed since and will definately stay again as long as it stays this good!

Orlando Vet's Next Best Bet!!!

from Nafa

This is the same review I posted under the Amerisuites Universal name. It's for the same hotel so I figured I'd post over here as they've had a transition in names at the hotel.

My girlfriend and I visit Orlando monthly and often stay a night or two (or 8). We've stayed in just about every conceivable accommodation in the area, from the $20 motor inns on 192 to the finest resorts in the area. This was our first experience with Amerisuites and were a little cautious with booking someplace than our usual stand-by hotel. While there are some exceptional stays on Major Blvd. there have been a few dubious ones.

We both agree--this was the nicest, most comfortable stay we've ever had in Orlando.

First, I booked our room via the hotel website (rather than a third party--always check both, you sometimes will get a better rate at one or another and if it's through the direct website you can avoid additional fees). The interface was simple, the reservation was guaranteed, and it was quickly handled.

At $98 (for AAA members) the rate was very reasonable considering the time of year and location. Our stay was right on the cusp of Spring Break and the property was virtually yards away from the entrance to Universal Studios Resort, right within walking distance. The hotel is tucked away off of Major Blvd. and Kirkman on Caravan Ct. (right behind the long missed Mystery Fun House property). A plus is that the the property is flanked by a TGI Friday's and a Cracker Barrel.

They are currently undergoing a change-over from Amerisuites to a Hyatt Place (scheduled to be finished in April 2007). Even though there is construction in the lobby it wasn't obstructive. Actually, it wasn't even really noticeable.

The staff was very friendly and very attentive. The desk staff honestly seemed to care about our stay experience, something that too many of the hotels/resorts in the area seem to neglect. And housekeeping was an A++. The room, corridors, all the facilities were immaculate and I would swear they were ninjas--everything was always taken care of but we never saw them.

And the room...oh the room! The hotel website had true to life, un-exaggerated images of the room. After the initial shock of the spacious size (advertised as 25% larger than the usual room and they weren't fibbing), the view (an Orlando-phile's dream), and all the wonderful amenities (full sized couch, king sized bed, 42" flatscreen TV), we were pretty instantly relaxed and felt at home. Plus it had the most comfortable bed and pillows yet. My bad back didn't hurt once. We usually bring our own pillows but there were approximately 6 regular pillows and of those we only needed one. And we couldn't get over how clean everything was kept, especially the carpets which passed the white socks test.

Now I know that part of the reason for being so over-the-moon about our stay is because that it was recently renovated and there is still a newness and 'honeymoon phase' attached to the hotel, but it honestly an amazing stay. We tried to come up with negative comments but the best we could do is that the elevator ran a little slow. That and the sun rose too early. Other than that it was a truly remarkable stay.

Everything about our stay was beyond our expectations and it was just the thing we needed for a short relaxing weekend away. We love our other favourites but this one is moving to the top of our list. If you're looking for close, clean, and comfortable lodging at the doorstep of the Universal Resort without having to pay the resort prices, this is the place. Period.

Until next time,

-Nafa.

They are pretty dishonest, and someone had sticky fingers. . .

from estahrox

Ok, do not let my title fool you. The room was very nice, cozy, comfortable. HOWEVER, the hotel did not live up to its description, and I had some items missing from my luggage when I returned home. So here is my story:

When we got to the hotel, we noticed that the lobby was still very much being renovated and could not be used. Also noticed that there was nowhere to buy food (hotel web site says there is a cafe, snack bar, twenty four hour room service, all nonexistent as of yet). Also, the pool is NOT indoors as is shown on the web site. When we got to our room, we were relieved because it was really nice. HOWEVER, the air conditioner went off every 5 minutes without coming back on AND our bathroom reeked of smoke (we paid for a nonsmoking room)

When I mentioned this to the person working at the lobby she said it would be taken care of. When we came back from the parks, we thought the AC would be fixed on the second night, but no go. Not on the third night either. I also have a bad feeling that the lobby person mishandled our complaint about smoking because we had several housepersons give us dirty looks, were unfriendly, and I noticed that a brand new tank top and pajamas were missing from my luggage. I have called several times and was tranferred to housekeeping who never called me back. This was all very upsetting to me.

The room was nice though, the bed was comfortable, big tv. If you stay here, I suggest you padlock your luggage and don't expect the front desk to be of much help.

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